R. Whittaker at a UFC press conference. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Out of action for the long-awaited clash against Marvin vettori, Robert whittaker does not rule out facing the Italian in the future. In an interview with 'Submission Radio', the former middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg.) explained his absence in the UFC 275. Part of the decision to leave the fight is the respect he has for his rival's qualities.
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“I don’t want to talk too much about it, because I don’t want to highlight my injury, but it was something I took. (…) I hadn’t signed the contract yet, so I was calm about recovering. Then, the fight was confirmed and everything lined up. (…) I was eager to get back to the Octagon and get to work. I went to the gym that same week and felt pain. I wasn’t able to perform the way I wanted to and I wasn’t comfortable with the way things were going,” said Whittaker.
Outside of one of the UFC's biggest events in the 2022 season, Robert highlighted that one of the reasons he left the card was respect for the Italian. For the former champion, performing outside of ideal conditions would be a big risk given the opponent's qualities.
“It's not like Vettori is an idiot. It's a show of respect. I don't want to face Vettori unless I'm 100% physically. He only lost to the same opponents as me. He's at the top for a reason. I need to respect it and take it seriously. (…) He still wants to face Vettori. It's a big fight for me and I want it to happen. I just need a little more time,” he signed off.
One of the biggest names in the recent history of middleweight MMA, Whittaker seeks to recover from the defeat he suffered against the current champion of the category, Israel adesanya, in a valid fight for the belt. Marvin, in turn, wants to expand the good moment. At the end of last season, the Italian surpassed Paulo borrachinha in a real battle in the Octagon.
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